Do NOT use Compazine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Compazine or similar medicines
• you are taking large amounts of central nervous system depressants (eg, alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics)
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine
• you have severe central nervous system depression.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Compazine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart disease, central nervous system depression, blood problems, liver problems, low blood pressure, increased pressure in the eye, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, bone marrow problems, unusual muscle movements, Parkinson disease, a predisposition to glaucoma, Reye syndrome, prostate problems, or seizures, or you have alcoholism.

Some medicines may interact with Compazine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine) or lithium because they may decrease Compazine's effectiveness
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine), general anesthetics (eg, thiopental), haloperidol, methyldopa, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of side effects, such as seizures, may be increased
• ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine), astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, haloperidol, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methyldopa, metrizamide, naltrexone, polypeptide antibiotics (eg, actinomycin), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, ondansetron), terfenadine, tramadol, trazodone, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Compazine
• Bromocriptine, guanethidine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Compazine
• Lithium because unexpected toxic effects may occur.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Compazine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Compazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Compazine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Compazine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Compazine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Compazine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Compazine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Compazine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat while taking Compazine.
• Patients who will be having spinal cord surgery should stop using Compazine at least 48 hours before surgery. Do not use Compazine for at least 24 hours after surgery and do not use it to control nausea and vomiting that has occurred before or after surgery.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Compazine. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Use Compazine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Compazine should not be used in children who are having surgery, who are younger 2 years, or who weigh less than 20 pounds; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Compazine while you are pregnant. Compazine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Compazine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; chills; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; jitteriness; nasal congestion; sleeplessness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings; changes in breasts; changes in menstrual period; changes in vision; difficulty swallowing; drooling; excessive sweating; fever; inability to move eyes; increased body heat; involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements); irregular or fast heartbeat; mask-like face; muscle spasms of face, neck, or back; muscle stiffness; prolonged or painful erection; restlessness; rigid muscles; shuffling walk; sore throat; tension in legs; tremors; twitching or twisting movements; unusual eye movements; weakness of arms or legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.